Post by shayne on Mar 9, 2008 9:28:57 GMT 8
Westlife In Tesco Magazine
The Boys Are Back…
…topping the charts. Ten years on, Westlife are as popular as ever but what is that sends fans into a frenzy? Maxine Clayman discovers how their differences may be the secret of their success.
Mr Perfection Shane Filan
From Sligo, 28, admits he’s driven. He lives with his wife Gillian, Kian’s cousin, and their two-year-old daughter Nicole.
”Being in the charts at number three isn’t good enough. In my eyes that’s a failure.”
Without a doubt I’m driven. I’m very ambitious. I always want to do better than I did last week. For instance our single Home went into the charts at number three and even though it was beaten by two fantastic songs, in my opinion it isn’t good enough. It’s very close to number one but in my eyes that’s a failure.
Although I do like to take control there’s no front man in the band. There are always decisions to be made and everyone’s right in their own way, which can be stressful. And, if anything, I’d say Kian’s more of the chairperson. He’s pushy, but in a good way, and we get on well. We’re really close - my wide Gillian is his first cousin.
I suppose I’m a perfectionist in every area of life. I want everything to be better than it should be, in all aspects. But that doesn’t mean I’m a control freak, I’d like to think that I can go with the flow. And I try to keep Westlife separate from my private life.
I’m very life my dad in that he had big dreams. Growing up we didn’t have a garden but he wanted to own a farm with loads of horses. He worked hard and achieved it and I’m the same. If I see something and I want to do it I try my utmost to make it happen.
It’s the same with my house in Ireland. I love big houses and fancy architecture and, accordingly, I had to build my own. It wasn’t about being flash - if one of my neighbours has a better house, best of luck to them - I did it because I’m passionate about it. It makes me feel proud.
And I’m proud that I was able to buy my dad a car. Not to show off but because he loves Mercedes. For me to be able to do that for him was one of the best moments in my life.
Mr Pushy Kian Egan,
Is pretty opinionated when it comes to the band. The 27-year-old from Sligo has been with his girlfriend, ex-Hollyoaks actress Jodi Albert, for four years.
“I’ve no problem with speaking my mind”
I was accused of slating the Spice Girls. But I just stood up for myself when they slagged us off. If someone is going to say something nasty about my band I’ll say something about theirs. Simple as that. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I’ve no problem with speaking my mind and if I believe I’m right I’ll say it.
But I do hate the sound of my voice when I hear it back. It makes me cringe. So I try not to watch TV interviews I’ve done because I might analyse them and be critical of myself. And at the end of the day I am who I am. If people like me - great. If they don’t, they don’t. I only take it to heart if it’s people I care about, like my family and my friends, not when it’s people sitting at home making judgments about me.
Since the start of the band I’ve always dealt with the management side of things - I tell the boys why we should do something and try to coax them into it. I can push quite hard but it’s because it’s my personal belief.
I used to be the most argumentative in the band but the funniest thing is we only ever argue about what’s best for Westlife. And we never let problems go on till the end of the day - they get resolved before we go home. We’re like four brothers so any differences we might have are soon forgotten. It’s all water under the bridge.
But I have calmed down quite a bit since meeting my girlfriend Jodi. And when I’m being an idiot she’ll tell me. Recently we were discussing our future plans. One of my goals is to build our house in Ireland. The second is to surf a barrel wave - it’s the kind that goes up over your head. And third is for us to get married, in no particular order, I hasten to add.
Mr Happy Mark Feehily,
Also from Sligo, Ireland, 27, and the youngest member of the band. He has had a new lease of life since meeting his partner Kevin McDaid.
“Everyone goes through changes. Now in every way I’ve woken up and I’m embracing life.”
Looking at how happy I am now, it’s funny looking back at how different I was at the start of the band. I was single, quiet and not very confident, at times kind of low. I was in Westlife purely because I wanted to sing. I didn’t dream of being rich or famous. I was only used to singing in my bedroom, I didn’t know how to act in a boy band with all the moves. I’ve never really been a natural performer.
And for a long time I’d sit back and wish things were different. But I’d never do anything about it. So I didn’t have any right to complain life was passing me by.
I guess everyone goes through changes and has their own insecurities. It’s part of growing up. Now I’ve got life experience on every level it’s given me a different outlook - I’m more positive and happier than I’ve ever been. In every way I’ve woken up and I’m embracing life. My relationship plays a large part in it. As a person your sexuality is an unspoken but big part of you. I came out at my own pace. I didn’t even know myself if I was gay or not in the early days. So I wasn’t hiding anything. I think deep down most of us would like someone special to go through life with. At the moment having a child wouldn’t be a consideration for me. But who knows one day it might be.
My timekeeping is notoriously bad and I’m definitely not a morning person. I used to struggle getting out of bed. Since I’ve quit smoking it’s easier - I don’t wake up with my mouth tasting like an ashtray.
I’ve also become more involved in other aspects of my life. For example, if I look bad in pictures because I haven’t been to the gym and I’ve been eating Chinese, I realise I can’t get upset. Now I’m working out, eating right, and I look and definitely feel better.
Mr Funny Nicky Byrne,
Loves playing practical jokes. The 29-year-old lives in Dublin with wife Georgina daughter of the Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, and their twin boys Rocco and Jay.
“I like to be a joker but other people sometimes get cheesed off with me.”
I might be the oldest in the band but I’m definitely not the wisest. I like to be a bit of a joker. At times the others do get cheesed off with me, but usually I know when the time is right to mess about.
It’s little things, like last week we all had the day off but had to do some interviews for Asian and German media. The companies were calling us as we were at our respective houses.
Knowing that he was expecting a call I phoned Shane and pretended to be German and asked him to tell me about the new album Coming Home. Shane was trying to explain it was called Back Home when I asked him if he was the gay one. And then he realised it was a wind-up. The only time I might have gone too far was a few years ago. We were staying in a hotel and I emptied Kian’s toiletries out of his bag so they were everywhere. I sprayed shaving foam on the wall and unraveled the toilet paper - and he got particularly annoyed with me.
But I come from a football background. I played for Leeds United, where I experienced practical jokes at a high level.
Someone could walk into the changing rooms dressed in top-to-toe Armani and they’d literally get their shoes nailed to the floor. I once went back to Leeds for a visit when I first started in Westlife. I was wearing a pair of leather trousers worth a couple of grand. While I was having a kick-about one of the players put my clothes on, ran on the field and slid across the mud.
But you have to be able to take a joke. And I think having a laugh is a great way to break the ice during difficult moments.
But of course I do have a serious side, especially when it comes to my wife, as I like to be a bit of a romantic.
Westlife’s album Back Home is out now.
Credit/Source: Tesco Magazine, westlife.gr
The Boys Are Back…
…topping the charts. Ten years on, Westlife are as popular as ever but what is that sends fans into a frenzy? Maxine Clayman discovers how their differences may be the secret of their success.
Mr Perfection Shane Filan
From Sligo, 28, admits he’s driven. He lives with his wife Gillian, Kian’s cousin, and their two-year-old daughter Nicole.
”Being in the charts at number three isn’t good enough. In my eyes that’s a failure.”
Without a doubt I’m driven. I’m very ambitious. I always want to do better than I did last week. For instance our single Home went into the charts at number three and even though it was beaten by two fantastic songs, in my opinion it isn’t good enough. It’s very close to number one but in my eyes that’s a failure.
Although I do like to take control there’s no front man in the band. There are always decisions to be made and everyone’s right in their own way, which can be stressful. And, if anything, I’d say Kian’s more of the chairperson. He’s pushy, but in a good way, and we get on well. We’re really close - my wide Gillian is his first cousin.
I suppose I’m a perfectionist in every area of life. I want everything to be better than it should be, in all aspects. But that doesn’t mean I’m a control freak, I’d like to think that I can go with the flow. And I try to keep Westlife separate from my private life.
I’m very life my dad in that he had big dreams. Growing up we didn’t have a garden but he wanted to own a farm with loads of horses. He worked hard and achieved it and I’m the same. If I see something and I want to do it I try my utmost to make it happen.
It’s the same with my house in Ireland. I love big houses and fancy architecture and, accordingly, I had to build my own. It wasn’t about being flash - if one of my neighbours has a better house, best of luck to them - I did it because I’m passionate about it. It makes me feel proud.
And I’m proud that I was able to buy my dad a car. Not to show off but because he loves Mercedes. For me to be able to do that for him was one of the best moments in my life.
Mr Pushy Kian Egan,
Is pretty opinionated when it comes to the band. The 27-year-old from Sligo has been with his girlfriend, ex-Hollyoaks actress Jodi Albert, for four years.
“I’ve no problem with speaking my mind”
I was accused of slating the Spice Girls. But I just stood up for myself when they slagged us off. If someone is going to say something nasty about my band I’ll say something about theirs. Simple as that. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I’ve no problem with speaking my mind and if I believe I’m right I’ll say it.
But I do hate the sound of my voice when I hear it back. It makes me cringe. So I try not to watch TV interviews I’ve done because I might analyse them and be critical of myself. And at the end of the day I am who I am. If people like me - great. If they don’t, they don’t. I only take it to heart if it’s people I care about, like my family and my friends, not when it’s people sitting at home making judgments about me.
Since the start of the band I’ve always dealt with the management side of things - I tell the boys why we should do something and try to coax them into it. I can push quite hard but it’s because it’s my personal belief.
I used to be the most argumentative in the band but the funniest thing is we only ever argue about what’s best for Westlife. And we never let problems go on till the end of the day - they get resolved before we go home. We’re like four brothers so any differences we might have are soon forgotten. It’s all water under the bridge.
But I have calmed down quite a bit since meeting my girlfriend Jodi. And when I’m being an idiot she’ll tell me. Recently we were discussing our future plans. One of my goals is to build our house in Ireland. The second is to surf a barrel wave - it’s the kind that goes up over your head. And third is for us to get married, in no particular order, I hasten to add.
Mr Happy Mark Feehily,
Also from Sligo, Ireland, 27, and the youngest member of the band. He has had a new lease of life since meeting his partner Kevin McDaid.
“Everyone goes through changes. Now in every way I’ve woken up and I’m embracing life.”
Looking at how happy I am now, it’s funny looking back at how different I was at the start of the band. I was single, quiet and not very confident, at times kind of low. I was in Westlife purely because I wanted to sing. I didn’t dream of being rich or famous. I was only used to singing in my bedroom, I didn’t know how to act in a boy band with all the moves. I’ve never really been a natural performer.
And for a long time I’d sit back and wish things were different. But I’d never do anything about it. So I didn’t have any right to complain life was passing me by.
I guess everyone goes through changes and has their own insecurities. It’s part of growing up. Now I’ve got life experience on every level it’s given me a different outlook - I’m more positive and happier than I’ve ever been. In every way I’ve woken up and I’m embracing life. My relationship plays a large part in it. As a person your sexuality is an unspoken but big part of you. I came out at my own pace. I didn’t even know myself if I was gay or not in the early days. So I wasn’t hiding anything. I think deep down most of us would like someone special to go through life with. At the moment having a child wouldn’t be a consideration for me. But who knows one day it might be.
My timekeeping is notoriously bad and I’m definitely not a morning person. I used to struggle getting out of bed. Since I’ve quit smoking it’s easier - I don’t wake up with my mouth tasting like an ashtray.
I’ve also become more involved in other aspects of my life. For example, if I look bad in pictures because I haven’t been to the gym and I’ve been eating Chinese, I realise I can’t get upset. Now I’m working out, eating right, and I look and definitely feel better.
Mr Funny Nicky Byrne,
Loves playing practical jokes. The 29-year-old lives in Dublin with wife Georgina daughter of the Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, and their twin boys Rocco and Jay.
“I like to be a joker but other people sometimes get cheesed off with me.”
I might be the oldest in the band but I’m definitely not the wisest. I like to be a bit of a joker. At times the others do get cheesed off with me, but usually I know when the time is right to mess about.
It’s little things, like last week we all had the day off but had to do some interviews for Asian and German media. The companies were calling us as we were at our respective houses.
Knowing that he was expecting a call I phoned Shane and pretended to be German and asked him to tell me about the new album Coming Home. Shane was trying to explain it was called Back Home when I asked him if he was the gay one. And then he realised it was a wind-up. The only time I might have gone too far was a few years ago. We were staying in a hotel and I emptied Kian’s toiletries out of his bag so they were everywhere. I sprayed shaving foam on the wall and unraveled the toilet paper - and he got particularly annoyed with me.
But I come from a football background. I played for Leeds United, where I experienced practical jokes at a high level.
Someone could walk into the changing rooms dressed in top-to-toe Armani and they’d literally get their shoes nailed to the floor. I once went back to Leeds for a visit when I first started in Westlife. I was wearing a pair of leather trousers worth a couple of grand. While I was having a kick-about one of the players put my clothes on, ran on the field and slid across the mud.
But you have to be able to take a joke. And I think having a laugh is a great way to break the ice during difficult moments.
But of course I do have a serious side, especially when it comes to my wife, as I like to be a bit of a romantic.
Westlife’s album Back Home is out now.
Credit/Source: Tesco Magazine, westlife.gr